I received more comments on my Planned Parenthood post than any post in a long time. Thanks! A bunch of people had questions about minors and sexual activity and reporting–first, you have to check with your own state, as it varies per state.

This is a list of when physicians must report sexual activity among their patients (for California). Often I’m told that patients (teenagers) know about these rules and will generally lie or not answer the question about their partner(‘)s age because of this. Also, in some jurisdictions, I’m told that the area does not believe that mandatory reporting is good for its community, so physicians will technically report to the police, but the police never act on it; in this way, physicians are not breaking the law.

“Sodomy, oral copulation, penetration of a genital or anal opening by a foreign object, even if consensual, with a partner of any age.”

What!? I read this the same as LadyGrey. Uhmm…you’d be reporting oral sex A LOT among teens. Oral sex is the sexual activity of choice among teens! I’m fascinated and would LOVE to know if there’s any logic behind this section of California law.

Amy:

Wow. I agree with Sarah. Besides being heterosexist, those guidelines appear to be more disapproving of behaviors with a lower pregnancy risk.

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This is a medical weblog--a collection of thoughts about medicine, medical training, and health policy--written by a fifth-year medical student.

I recently stopped blogging, as I graduated from medical school and I'm now a physician in my residency training in New York City. But feel free to read and enjoy!